Job Title: Livelihoods Officer-ST

Reports to: Field Manager

Location: Sheekh, Somaliland

Terms: 1 year; renewable depending on funding.

About Concern:

Role Purpose:

Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in his or her work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

The Livelihoods Project Officer will be responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring, and coordination of, Social Transfer, Green Graduation, Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiatives to enhance livelihoods and promote economic empowerment. The role will involve community engagement, capacity building, coaching, and facilitating access to financial and social protection services to ensure long-term resilience and self-reliance for program participants.

 Responsibilities: 

I.            Planning and Implementation

•       Develop detailed work plans for project activities in alignment with project objectives.

•       Plan and implement, Green Graduation, SHGs and TVET activities, ensuring effective execution of all planned interventions.

•       Facilitate the identification, selection, targeting and establishment of SHGs and Green Graduation groups in consultations with VDCs

•       Support the selection and enrolment of youth participants in the program and coordinate with TVET providers to identify employment opportunities for trainees.

•       Implement cash transfer programs to provide immediate financial support and enable participants to meet basic needs.

•       Identify and distribute productive assets (e.g., livestock, tools, equipment) to participants to jumpstart income-generating activities.

II.   Capacity Building and Support

•       Facilitate training for participants on entrepreneurship/income generating activities, business management, life skills, gender inclusion and financial literacy.

•       Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and support to economic groups and IGA participants to develop and implement business plans.

•       Enhance the skills of economic group members to effectively manage their group’s activities, including proper record-keeping and financial management.

•       Identify, plan, and execute comprehensive capacity development plans for economic groups and TVET participants.

•       Organise and facilitate training sessions on production, value addition, and market access.

•       Conduct regular coaching and mentoring visits to households to provide individualised guidance.

•       Promote SHGs and Cluster Level Associations (CLAs), financial inclusion initiatives to help participants build financial resilience and access credit.

•       Develop and implement tailored livelihood pathways to support households in achieving self-reliance.

•       Facilitate peer learning and exchange opportunities among program participants

•       Facilitate access to social support services, including psychosocial counselling and community-based support networks.

III.   Monitoring and Reporting

•       Conduct regular field visits to monitor the progress and performance of IGAs and TVET activities.

•       Collect and analyse data to assess the impact of project initiatives on participants.

•       Monitor the progress of economic group activities and ensure the proper and efficient use of project resources.

•       Document and share significant change stories and lessons learned from TVET participants and economic groups.

•       Prepare and submit consolidated reports, including updates on key activities, achievements, and challenges, using both quantitative and qualitative data (e.g., photos, case studies, quotes).

•       Review reports from TVET providers and submit consolidated findings to the Project Manager.

•       Establish and maintain strong relationships with local governments, community leaders, private sector actors, and TVET providers.

•       Facilitate linkages between IGA participants and markets, financial institutions, and relevant service providers.

•       Participate in cross-sectoral project reviews, meetings, workshops, and networking events to represent the project.

•       Oversee the quality of TVET courses provided by various centres and ensure their relevance to market demands.

•       Represent the program in district coordination meetings and advocacy platforms related to poverty reduction, financial inclusion, and social protection

V.            Resource and Financial Management

•       Support the Project Manager in budgeting and resource allocation for IGA and TVET activities.

•       Ensure all activities are implemented within the approved budget and adhere to organizational financial guidelines.

•       In collaboration with the MEAL team, undertake needs assessments, baselines, and evaluations to inform project implementation.

•       Participate in periodic project reviews to capture lessons learned and adapt strategies as necessary, following results-based management principles.

•       Continuously supervise and provide guidance to economic groups, supporting the development and refinement of business action plans.

•       All staff are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, including our workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding values.

•       All staff are required to participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

Qualifications:

•       A University degree in economics, business management, development studies, or a related discipline. Advanced training or certification in community facilitation or livelihoods programming is an added advantage.

Experience:

•       Minimum of three years of practical experience in the graduation approach, income generation activities, microfinance, or community development, with a strong focus on livelihood improvement.

•       Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring livelihood programs, including needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, and impact evaluations.

•       Proven ability to facilitate workshops, training sessions, and community discussions effectively.

•       Experience working in diverse community settings, with an emphasis on participatory approaches and gender sensitivity.

•       Strong report writing and documentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, concise manner.

•       Proficiency in written and spoken English; additional local language skills are a plus.

•       Advanced computer literacy, particularly in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and digital tools for remote facilitation.

•       Flexibility to travel extensively and spend extended periods in field locations, adapting to challenging environments and varying project needs.

•       Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

•       Commitment to capacity building and community empowerment principles.

Competencies:

For GB2 – 6 Roles:

Identify the 3-4 priority competencies required to be effective and successful in the role.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate abilities in the following priority competency areas (highlight 3-4 competencies in bold as appropriate):

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organization. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs.

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should submit their applications (cover letter and updated CVs) by email to [email protected] with the subject line “Application for Livelihoods Officer-ST” by latest on Monday 3rd March 2025.

ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the written test and interview. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Important information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.